Owen Newburn
@owennewburn.bsky.social
Gamedev @ Tributary Games. Technical Lead on King of the Castle and Occlude. Recently doing a lot of cryptic clues
Pinned
Owen Newburn
@owennewburn.bsky.social
· Apr 17
The past can be rewritten
That thing you regret? It doesn't have to be that way
Wishlist Occlude now: store.steampowered.com/app/3547010/...
That thing you regret? It doesn't have to be that way
Wishlist Occlude now: store.steampowered.com/app/3547010/...
Think this challenges me with a four month old baby? This is me all day.
Minute Cryptic - 28 October, 2025
"Retiring police diver oddly wanting to refrain from farming" (1,1,1,1,1)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (39,070 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Minute Cryptic - 28 October, 2025
"Retiring police diver oddly wanting to refrain from farming" (1,1,1,1,1)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (39,070 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Minute Cryptic
Solve a clue with a hidden meaning
www.minutecryptic.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Think this challenges me with a four month old baby? This is me all day.
Minute Cryptic - 28 October, 2025
"Retiring police diver oddly wanting to refrain from farming" (1,1,1,1,1)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (39,070 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Minute Cryptic - 28 October, 2025
"Retiring police diver oddly wanting to refrain from farming" (1,1,1,1,1)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (39,070 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Reposted by Owen Newburn
@tributarygames.bsky.social WHICHEVER OF YOU CAME UP WITH MAGICIAN SOUTH, YOU LITTLE SHIT
October 26, 2025 at 10:16 PM
@tributarygames.bsky.social WHICHEVER OF YOU CAME UP WITH MAGICIAN SOUTH, YOU LITTLE SHIT
Reposted by Owen Newburn
Wow, how did you even manage to get that many new concepts 😦
Looking forward to trying them out, the base game was a delight to play!
Looking forward to trying them out, the base game was a delight to play!
October 22, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Wow, how did you even manage to get that many new concepts 😦
Looking forward to trying them out, the base game was a delight to play!
Looking forward to trying them out, the base game was a delight to play!
Reposted by Owen Newburn
Our massive update to Occlude in the Cardinals is here!
We've added 24 new puzzles to the game from 7 at launch, new Achievements, quality of life updates and plenty more.
Oh, and did we mention it's totally free?
Read more here: store.steampowered.com/news/app/354... #indiegames
We've added 24 new puzzles to the game from 7 at launch, new Achievements, quality of life updates and plenty more.
Oh, and did we mention it's totally free?
Read more here: store.steampowered.com/news/app/354... #indiegames
October 22, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Our massive update to Occlude in the Cardinals is here!
We've added 24 new puzzles to the game from 7 at launch, new Achievements, quality of life updates and plenty more.
Oh, and did we mention it's totally free?
Read more here: store.steampowered.com/news/app/354... #indiegames
We've added 24 new puzzles to the game from 7 at launch, new Achievements, quality of life updates and plenty more.
Oh, and did we mention it's totally free?
Read more here: store.steampowered.com/news/app/354... #indiegames
Want to play Occlude for free? Follow Pantaloon for a chance to win a key!
THE RITUAL IS COMPLETE 👁️
The Cardinals update is OUT NOW. A free expansion to Occlude, bringing 24 new puzzles with it, new Artefacts & Objects & host of other improvements
store.steampowered.com/app/3547010/...
I've got 5 keys here! Follow, share this & I'll pick 5 winners on Friday
#indiegames
The Cardinals update is OUT NOW. A free expansion to Occlude, bringing 24 new puzzles with it, new Artefacts & Objects & host of other improvements
store.steampowered.com/app/3547010/...
I've got 5 keys here! Follow, share this & I'll pick 5 winners on Friday
#indiegames
October 22, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Want to play Occlude for free? Follow Pantaloon for a chance to win a key!
Reposted by Owen Newburn
THE RITUAL IS COMPLETE 👁️
The Cardinals update is OUT NOW. A free expansion to Occlude, bringing 24 new puzzles with it, new Artefacts & Objects & host of other improvements
store.steampowered.com/app/3547010/...
I've got 5 keys here! Follow, share this & I'll pick 5 winners on Friday
#indiegames
The Cardinals update is OUT NOW. A free expansion to Occlude, bringing 24 new puzzles with it, new Artefacts & Objects & host of other improvements
store.steampowered.com/app/3547010/...
I've got 5 keys here! Follow, share this & I'll pick 5 winners on Friday
#indiegames
October 22, 2025 at 2:27 PM
THE RITUAL IS COMPLETE 👁️
The Cardinals update is OUT NOW. A free expansion to Occlude, bringing 24 new puzzles with it, new Artefacts & Objects & host of other improvements
store.steampowered.com/app/3547010/...
I've got 5 keys here! Follow, share this & I'll pick 5 winners on Friday
#indiegames
The Cardinals update is OUT NOW. A free expansion to Occlude, bringing 24 new puzzles with it, new Artefacts & Objects & host of other improvements
store.steampowered.com/app/3547010/...
I've got 5 keys here! Follow, share this & I'll pick 5 winners on Friday
#indiegames
The best part of making this update was watching Sam's break break as he tried testing all these puzzles out.
Cardinals are out! We've increased the amount of content by 343%, which isn't half bad for a free update.
This was a team effort, as usual, but my special thanks to our resident puzzlemaster @owennewburn.bsky.social for the idea, design and execution of the Cardinals.
Right, go lose your minds!
This was a team effort, as usual, but my special thanks to our resident puzzlemaster @owennewburn.bsky.social for the idea, design and execution of the Cardinals.
Right, go lose your minds!
October 22, 2025 at 2:39 PM
The best part of making this update was watching Sam's break break as he tried testing all these puzzles out.
Cardinals are out! 24 new puzzles to sink your teeth into 🧠🃏
This was a really fun challenge, testing the limits of what information you can convey with just four coins 🪙
I'm really pleased with how these have turned out. Hopefully there will be some cool "ah ha!" moments for all the players.
This was a really fun challenge, testing the limits of what information you can convey with just four coins 🪙
I'm really pleased with how these have turned out. Hopefully there will be some cool "ah ha!" moments for all the players.
Our massive update to Occlude in the Cardinals is here!
We've added 24 new puzzles to the game from 7 at launch, new Achievements, quality of life updates and plenty more.
Oh, and did we mention it's totally free?
Read more here: store.steampowered.com/news/app/354... #indiegames
We've added 24 new puzzles to the game from 7 at launch, new Achievements, quality of life updates and plenty more.
Oh, and did we mention it's totally free?
Read more here: store.steampowered.com/news/app/354... #indiegames
October 22, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Cardinals are out! 24 new puzzles to sink your teeth into 🧠🃏
This was a really fun challenge, testing the limits of what information you can convey with just four coins 🪙
I'm really pleased with how these have turned out. Hopefully there will be some cool "ah ha!" moments for all the players.
This was a really fun challenge, testing the limits of what information you can convey with just four coins 🪙
I'm really pleased with how these have turned out. Hopefully there will be some cool "ah ha!" moments for all the players.
Reposted by Owen Newburn
This was a bugger to get out! Kudos to @owennewburn.bsky.social who worked this weekend with me to get this out.
And apologies to any of players who came across the bug. The joys of updating a game because Twitch changes its backend and Unity finds a security vulnerability. I love #gamedev
And apologies to any of players who came across the bug. The joys of updating a game because Twitch changes its backend and Unity finds a security vulnerability. I love #gamedev
We're pleased to say that we have both patched a security issue in Unity and fixed a bug where a small number of players had their saves corrupted.
What's even better is, the patch should fix existing broken saves as if by magic!
Read all about it here: store.steampowered.com/news/app/183...
What's even better is, the patch should fix existing broken saves as if by magic!
Read all about it here: store.steampowered.com/news/app/183...
King Of The Castle - Fixing saves in KOTC v1.3.2 "ShinyQuarks" - Steam News
Resolving the issues with save files and a small request from us at Tributary!
store.steampowered.com
October 4, 2025 at 4:04 PM
This was a bugger to get out! Kudos to @owennewburn.bsky.social who worked this weekend with me to get this out.
And apologies to any of players who came across the bug. The joys of updating a game because Twitch changes its backend and Unity finds a security vulnerability. I love #gamedev
And apologies to any of players who came across the bug. The joys of updating a game because Twitch changes its backend and Unity finds a security vulnerability. I love #gamedev
Appreciated the kind feedback on my crossword attempt from Steve! Show his version some love too
It's a little bit cryptic, a little bit crap, but just set my first ever crossword today. It's a tiny one which I've aimed to make easy, so a minute or two? Light humour in this one, but a big pottymouth crAssword of laughs coming…
And thanks to @champierth.bsky.social.
mycrossword.co.uk/mini/131
And thanks to @champierth.bsky.social.
mycrossword.co.uk/mini/131
Mini crossword No 131 · MyCrossword
Solve Mini crossword No 131 on MyCrossword. 7x7 grid with 6 clues by Bazzy. Published Tue 9 Sep 2025. Features annotated solutions and special instructions. Free to solve online.
mycrossword.co.uk
September 9, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Appreciated the kind feedback on my crossword attempt from Steve! Show his version some love too
Took my first stab at writing a full cryptic crossword (albeit a mini one). Please give it a go and feedback would be appreciated!
Sample clue:
Idea that he or you hatches (6)
mycrossword.co.uk/mini/130
Sample clue:
Idea that he or you hatches (6)
mycrossword.co.uk/mini/130
Mini crossword No 130 · MyCrossword
Solve Mini crossword No 130 on MyCrossword. 7x7 grid with 6 clues by Askew. Published Tue 9 Sep 2025. Features annotated solutions and special instructions. Free to solve online.
mycrossword.co.uk
September 9, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Took my first stab at writing a full cryptic crossword (albeit a mini one). Please give it a go and feedback would be appreciated!
Sample clue:
Idea that he or you hatches (6)
mycrossword.co.uk/mini/130
Sample clue:
Idea that he or you hatches (6)
mycrossword.co.uk/mini/130
Reposted by Owen Newburn
The game is so good! I want a world where the KOTC-alike is as popular as the Roguelike. There are so many cool things to do with this (multiplayer, synchronous, asymmetric, social) kind of game architecture.
September 4, 2025 at 4:43 PM
The game is so good! I want a world where the KOTC-alike is as popular as the Roguelike. There are so many cool things to do with this (multiplayer, synchronous, asymmetric, social) kind of game architecture.
Not sure how I missed this. It's such a compliment that Greg thought King of the Castle was worth analysing with his class! I hope they found some good stuff in with the bad. This has prompted @spartridge.bsky.social and I to have a long chat about what we might've done differently (there's a lot).
Started off the term in my 200-level Game Design class by playing and analyzing @tributarygames.bsky.social’s King of the Castle.
Students voted to play one more season rather than leave class 20 minutes early (+1 Stability 🏛️). An auspicious beginning!
Students voted to play one more season rather than leave class 20 minutes early (+1 Stability 🏛️). An auspicious beginning!
September 4, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Not sure how I missed this. It's such a compliment that Greg thought King of the Castle was worth analysing with his class! I hope they found some good stuff in with the bad. This has prompted @spartridge.bsky.social and I to have a long chat about what we might've done differently (there's a lot).
Time for the answer to yesterday's cryptic crossword clue!
It is 🥁🥁🥁
SHARP
S (small) HARP (instrument) = SHARP (out of tune)
A fairly simple one but maybe the most elegant surface I've written.
It is 🥁🥁🥁
SHARP
S (small) HARP (instrument) = SHARP (out of tune)
A fairly simple one but maybe the most elegant surface I've written.
Time for another cryptic crossword clue!
Small instrument is out of tune (5)
Come back tomorrow for the answer!
Small instrument is out of tune (5)
Come back tomorrow for the answer!
September 2, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Time for the answer to yesterday's cryptic crossword clue!
It is 🥁🥁🥁
SHARP
S (small) HARP (instrument) = SHARP (out of tune)
A fairly simple one but maybe the most elegant surface I've written.
It is 🥁🥁🥁
SHARP
S (small) HARP (instrument) = SHARP (out of tune)
A fairly simple one but maybe the most elegant surface I've written.
Reposted by Owen Newburn
Credit to @owennewburn.bsky.social and @skelicopter.bsky.social for working on this while I was at Gamescom. And to Morgrim and the community, who collated all the issues into one page - We’re so blessed to have fans like them ❤️
We're extremely pleased to announce the first update to King of the Castle since September 2023 is now out.
Say hello to King of the Castle v1.3 "Morgrim"! This fixes the issues with Twitch Mode and resolves a ton of bugs.
Go read the full patch notes here: store.steampowered.com/news/app/183...
Say hello to King of the Castle v1.3 "Morgrim"! This fixes the issues with Twitch Mode and resolves a ton of bugs.
Go read the full patch notes here: store.steampowered.com/news/app/183...
August 28, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Credit to @owennewburn.bsky.social and @skelicopter.bsky.social for working on this while I was at Gamescom. And to Morgrim and the community, who collated all the issues into one page - We’re so blessed to have fans like them ❤️
Time for another cryptic crossword clue!
Small instrument is out of tune (5)
Come back tomorrow for the answer!
Small instrument is out of tune (5)
Come back tomorrow for the answer!
September 1, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Time for another cryptic crossword clue!
Small instrument is out of tune (5)
Come back tomorrow for the answer!
Small instrument is out of tune (5)
Come back tomorrow for the answer!
The answer is...
Admonish
Definition: Reprimand
starting a day => ad
my french => mon
kinda => ish
Thought there was something funny in using "mon" for "pardon my French". Though I'm not sure I nailed the landing.
Admonish
Definition: Reprimand
starting a day => ad
my french => mon
kinda => ish
Thought there was something funny in using "mon" for "pardon my French". Though I'm not sure I nailed the landing.
It's been a while! And while I'm awake with the baby I have time to think of new cryptic crossword clues! Here's one:
Reprimand for starting a day with my french, kinda (8)
Answer tomorrow!
Reprimand for starting a day with my french, kinda (8)
Answer tomorrow!
August 19, 2025 at 7:42 PM
The answer is...
Admonish
Definition: Reprimand
starting a day => ad
my french => mon
kinda => ish
Thought there was something funny in using "mon" for "pardon my French". Though I'm not sure I nailed the landing.
Admonish
Definition: Reprimand
starting a day => ad
my french => mon
kinda => ish
Thought there was something funny in using "mon" for "pardon my French". Though I'm not sure I nailed the landing.
It's been a while! And while I'm awake with the baby I have time to think of new cryptic crossword clues! Here's one:
Reprimand for starting a day with my french, kinda (8)
Answer tomorrow!
Reprimand for starting a day with my french, kinda (8)
Answer tomorrow!
August 18, 2025 at 9:40 PM
It's been a while! And while I'm awake with the baby I have time to think of new cryptic crossword clues! Here's one:
Reprimand for starting a day with my french, kinda (8)
Answer tomorrow!
Reprimand for starting a day with my french, kinda (8)
Answer tomorrow!
Reposted by Owen Newburn
[Bart Simpson writing on chalkboard] I will not libel Tadej Pogacar, I will not libel Tadej Pogacar, I will not libel Tadej Pogacar
July 17, 2025 at 3:23 PM
[Bart Simpson writing on chalkboard] I will not libel Tadej Pogacar, I will not libel Tadej Pogacar, I will not libel Tadej Pogacar
Reposted by Owen Newburn
OCCLUDE is now OCCL-OUT -- grab this game if you enjoy mind-bending puzzles within a mind-bending narrative!
Featuring a jigsaw-puzzle plot by yours truly with shades of David Lynch, the SCP archives, and This Is How You Lose The Time War. Don't miss out!
store.steampowered.com/app/3547010/...
Featuring a jigsaw-puzzle plot by yours truly with shades of David Lynch, the SCP archives, and This Is How You Lose The Time War. Don't miss out!
store.steampowered.com/app/3547010/...
Save 10% on Occlude on Steam
Occlude is a ritual disguised as Solitaire; a cosmic-horror card game where the rules are obscured and reality is at stake. Play through cryptic challenges to reveal forbidden lore in this singleplaye...
store.steampowered.com
July 10, 2025 at 3:20 PM
OCCLUDE is now OCCL-OUT -- grab this game if you enjoy mind-bending puzzles within a mind-bending narrative!
Featuring a jigsaw-puzzle plot by yours truly with shades of David Lynch, the SCP archives, and This Is How You Lose The Time War. Don't miss out!
store.steampowered.com/app/3547010/...
Featuring a jigsaw-puzzle plot by yours truly with shades of David Lynch, the SCP archives, and This Is How You Lose The Time War. Don't miss out!
store.steampowered.com/app/3547010/...
July 12, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Releasing a game: hard
Having a new baby: HARD
Doing both in 10 days: 🫠
Having a new baby: HARD
Doing both in 10 days: 🫠
July 10, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Releasing a game: hard
Having a new baby: HARD
Doing both in 10 days: 🫠
Having a new baby: HARD
Doing both in 10 days: 🫠
Reposted by Owen Newburn
My text games are in the Steam sale! If you're into queer, complicated, highly player-responsive dark academia or mob-boss blood magic, plus friendship/romance/backstabbing with messy characters, check them out!
If you like my work and haven't played HONOR BOUND, now is a great time to pick it up:
If you like my work and haven't played HONOR BOUND, now is a great time to pick it up:
Save 40% on Honor Bound on Steam
Protect an exclusive boarding school and rebuild your life after scandal as a military bodyguard! How far will you go for ambition, duty, and your country?
store.steampowered.com
July 9, 2025 at 11:57 AM
My text games are in the Steam sale! If you're into queer, complicated, highly player-responsive dark academia or mob-boss blood magic, plus friendship/romance/backstabbing with messy characters, check them out!
If you like my work and haven't played HONOR BOUND, now is a great time to pick it up:
If you like my work and haven't played HONOR BOUND, now is a great time to pick it up:
Reposted by Owen Newburn
Occlude, a game of occult Solitaire from @tributarygames.bsky.social, launches in just under two weeks!
Here's an in depth piece from the team taking a look at the new features & improvements that are coming to the game after feedback from our recent demo 👁️
store.steampowered.com/news/app/354...
Here's an in depth piece from the team taking a look at the new features & improvements that are coming to the game after feedback from our recent demo 👁️
store.steampowered.com/news/app/354...
Occlude - What will be in Occlude at launch? - Steam News
We've been hard at work going through feedback and tightening up the last screws on our unsettling little creature of a game. Let's dive into some launch features...
store.steampowered.com
June 27, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Occlude, a game of occult Solitaire from @tributarygames.bsky.social, launches in just under two weeks!
Here's an in depth piece from the team taking a look at the new features & improvements that are coming to the game after feedback from our recent demo 👁️
store.steampowered.com/news/app/354...
Here's an in depth piece from the team taking a look at the new features & improvements that are coming to the game after feedback from our recent demo 👁️
store.steampowered.com/news/app/354...
About to become a dad in the next couple of weeks and today's Minute Cryptic felt targeted 😐
Minute Cryptic - 25 June, 2025
"One wiped out from parenting, struggling with child" (8)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
I scored: 3 under par
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Minute Cryptic - 25 June, 2025
"One wiped out from parenting, struggling with child" (8)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
I scored: 3 under par
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Minute Cryptic
Solve a clue with a hidden meaning
www.minutecryptic.com
June 25, 2025 at 7:30 AM
About to become a dad in the next couple of weeks and today's Minute Cryptic felt targeted 😐
Minute Cryptic - 25 June, 2025
"One wiped out from parenting, struggling with child" (8)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
I scored: 3 under par
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Minute Cryptic - 25 June, 2025
"One wiped out from parenting, struggling with child" (8)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
I scored: 3 under par
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...